by The Columbus Dispatch

Talent pool

Forward Jason Love is the top returning scorer (6.7 points per game) and rebounder (5.9). He's also a solid defender. Seven-foot sophomore Kenny Frease could be primed to make an impact inside. Jordan Crawford could step in as an immediate starter at guard. He is a transfer from Indiana who averaged 9.7 points in his only season with the Hoosiers.

\ Exclamation points

The 6-foot-4 Crawford made the loudest offseason noise when he dunked over LeBron James at a camp. Video of the moment was confiscated by Nike, then made its way online. Xavier's sophomore class, the last recruited by coach Sean Miller before he departed for Arizona, could be the strength of the team. Besides Frease, the Musketeers figure to get solid contributions from sophs Terrell Holloway and Brad Redford.

\ Question marks

Xavier survived coach Thad Matta's departure to bigger pastures by promoting Miller, so there's no reason to think Mack can't follow the same blueprint now that Miller is in Tucson. Mack, 39, is a Xavier alum. On the court, the Musketeers will need better play from Holloway and/or Dante Jackson at point guard. Xavier had more turnovers than assists last season.

\ Outlook

This is prime time for the Xavier program, which has won the past three Atlantic-10 regular-season titles, made it to the Elite Eight in 2008 and the Sweet 16 last season. But heavy losses -- B.J. Raymond and C.J. Anderson to graduation and Derrick Brown to the NBA -- mean the Musketeers might be chasing instead of being chased in the A-10. No one should think Xavier isn't an NCAA Tournament team, however.

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